Burnout syndrome increased by 37% in research in 2024

Find out what burnout syndrome is and the symptoms of the disease, also known as professional burnout.

THE Burnout syndromealso known as professional burnout syndrome, it is considered a highly disabling emotional disorder and has various consequences on a person’s life.

Not surprisingly, the problem was considered an occupational disease in an update promoted by the Ministry of Health in 2024.

• Read also: Brazil is the second country in the world with the highest number of burnout cases

The name of the disease derives from the English terms “burn” and “out”, which can be understood, in free translation, as exhaustion.

With changes in work relationships and carrying out activities in different careers, many professionals are subject to facing problems such as overwork, stress, tiredness or mental and physical exhaustion, which are elements present in cases of burnout syndrome.

According to experts, the disease is common in different careers, such as teachers, police officers, bank employees, telemarketers, journalists, nurses and doctors, where different elements related to the professional activity cause overwork and contribute to exhaustion.

People who have more than one job or who work double shifts, which is common in the case of women, are also more susceptible to developing professional burnout.

Without proper treatment, burnout can cause or worsen other existing health problems, such as depression.

What is burnout syndrome?

Burnout syndrome is considered a psychological disorder caused by stress, emotional tension and excessive work in the professional environment, which generate mental exhaustion in workers. Burnout is common in areas with exhausting work situations, with high competitiveness, responsibility or under great pressure.

Professional burnout can cause, for example, the feeling that professional goals are difficult to achieve. Sufferers of the syndrome may also feel that they lack the ability to complete deliveries, complete tasks, or achieve business goals.

In addition to emotional problems, burnout can also cause physical symptoms, which make the victim of the disease even more vulnerable and prone to more serious health conditions.

Careers in which there are high levels of stress, demands, competitiveness and responsibility tend to increase the chances of developing burnout syndrome in their employees.

Therefore, the problem is considered an occupational disease, since it is the working conditions that cause the emotional disturbance.

• Read also: Burnout is now an occupational disease: other pathologies also affect workers

Second Medprev surveyOnline searches for terms related to burnout syndrome increased by 37% between January and July 2024, compared to the same period the previous year. Additionally, search volume in 2023 and 2024 surpassed all other previous years. The increase in diagnoses and classification as an occupational disease are some of the reasons for this increase.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized burnout syndrome as an occupational disease from 2022, with the code QD85 in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11). The recognition updated the professional burnout syndrome code in ICD-10, which was Z73.

What are the symptoms of burnout syndrome?

Burnout syndrome causes a number of symptoms that cannot be ignored to prove a diagnosis.

In addition to the psychological suffering, nervousness, stress and constant discouragement that are indicative of this condition, the most common symptoms of professional burnout tend to be:

• Feeling of exhaustion, with great mental and physical tiredness;
• Lack of motivation;
• Difficulty concentrating;
• Crashes and memory lapses
• Insomnia;
• Feelings of insecurity, failure, incompetence, demandingness, guilt and constant negativity;
• Mood changes;
• Social and emotional isolation;
• Low self-esteem;
• Changes in breathing and heartbeat;
• Changes in appetite;
• Fatigue;
• Headaches and muscle pain;
• Gastrointestinal problems.

In some situations, symptoms may be present the day before the workday or hours before work, or in professional situations that may generate anxiety or stress. Furthermore, even mild initial symptoms can indicate the presence of burnout syndrome.

• Read also: Symptoms of burnout: recognize the signs and learn to prevent them

What are the stages of burnout syndrome?

Experts believe that there are 3 dimensions related to burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and lack of professional fulfillment.

Furthermore, psychoanalysts Herbert Freudenberger and Gail North listed 12 stages of the syndrome, pointing out that people can go through all or just some of them, regardless of the order:

• Compulsion to show one’s worth in carrying out activities;
• Inability to take time off from work, such as on days off or weekends;
• Denial of primary needs in sacrifice of work;
• Escape from reality or conflicts;
• Reinterpretation of values, relegating moments of rest, friendships and family to the background, giving priority only to work;
• Intolerance and aggression towards other professionals;
• Distancing from family and friends, with damage to social life;
• Changes in personality and behavior, with the appearance of apathy, sadness or excessive shyness, for example;
• Depersonalization, when the individual does not realize their own needs or value;
• Feeling of emptiness and discomfort, which can generate compulsions;
• Depression, with feelings such as loss of meaning in life and exhaustion;
• Burnout syndrome, with mental and physical exhaustion, which may lead to suicidal thoughts or similar thoughts.

What to do in case of burnout syndrome?

If you suspect burnout syndrome, it is important to seek professional help. Specialists such as psychologists, psychiatrists and occupational physicians are some of the professionals who can help with treatment.

• Read also: Burnout syndrome: understanding how to treat the condition

It is essential to have a diagnosis of burnout syndrome, after clinical analysis. Treatment may involve psychotherapy and also medications such as antidepressants and anxiolytics, prescribed by a psychiatrist.

Additionally, professionals can generate reports with recommendations to remove the burnout victim from their work environment during treatment, so that the burnout condition does not worsen.

In the case of employees working with a work card, leave is provided by the INSS, based on the submission of reports and reports from specialists attesting to burnout syndrome. By sending the documentation and analyzes to the INSS, the patient will be able to be absent from their duties for the period recommended by the healthcare professionals.

Given the professional nature of the disease, the institute can also provide that the worker is entitled to assistance for temporary incapacity caused by an accident (INSS B91 benefit). In addition to salary, the benefit guarantees job stability for 12 months after returning to professional activity.

In addition to time off work, psychotherapy, and medications, treating burnout also involves changes in lifestyle and working conditions.

Physical activities, changes to working hours, creating moments of rest during work, hobbies and other practices that prevent mental exhaustion can then be recommended. Treatment may take more than 3 months.

To discover more tips on self-care, health and disease prevention, browse Terra Você!

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.